The flagging career of once seemingly invincible Nkosinathi “Mabhere” Joyi has ground to halt after he revealed that he does not have a manager.
Joyi made the startling revelation four months after winning his second comeback fight following his stunning first round knockout by Filipino journeyman Rey Loreto.
The 33-year-old former undisputed world mini-flyweight champion beat Luyanda Nkwankwa at the Orient Theatre in April in a bout that formed part of the University of Fort Hare centenary celebrations.
The show was later shrouded in controversy when Sijuta Promotions did not pay all the boxers that fought in the event.
However, Joyi was one of those that received their money.
But this week Joyi revealed that his managerial contract with well known Eastern Cape boxing manager Mla Tengimfene had expired and the duo had gone their separate ways.
This has forced Joyi, who had former boxing boss Loyiso Mtya in his corner in the Nkwankwa fight, to seek another trainer and subsequently opted to reunite with long time mentor Boy Boy Mpulampula.
Joyi and Mpulampula formed a formidable team, guiding him to IBF and IBO titles, becoming the first boxer from SA to be rated top in the division.
However, after Joyi’s loss to Hekkie Budler the pair severed ties, with Joyi joining Gert Strydom in Johannesburg.
Joyi was then stunned by the unheralded Loreto with a four round demolition in Monte Carlo in a bout whose aftermath sparked a row between the boxer’s then-promoter Siphatho Handi and the technical team over accusations that the Mdantsane fighter was not adequately prepared.
Handi organised the rematch at Mdantsane’s Indoor Sports Centre, bringing back Mpulampula.
But the Filipino repeated the feat.
The loss was the final straw in Joyi’s status as a world class boxer.
After a fifth round stoppage of feather fisted Sinethemba Magibisela, Joyi returned in a Sijuta Promotions show to beat Nkwankwa.
However, with Sijuta facing serious challenges and with Tengimfene no longer part of his management team, Joyi does not know if he will return to the ring.
The southpaw boxer said he was yearning to challenge newly crowned IBO champion Simpiwe Konkco, who ironically was once his promotional stablemate at Handi’s Mamali Promotions.
Konkco recently annexed the crown with a points victory of Duncan Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo.
Tengimfene could not be reached for comment about severing ties with Joyi.
Joyi career at a crossroads
Joyi made the startling revelation four months after winning his second comeback fight following his stunning first round knockout by Filipino journeyman Rey Loreto.
The 33-year-old former undisputed world mini-flyweight champion beat Luyanda Nkwankwa at the Orient Theatre in April in a bout that formed part of the University of Fort Hare centenary celebrations.
The show was later shrouded in controversy when Sijuta Promotions did not pay all the boxers that fought in the event.
However, Joyi was one of those that received their money.
But this week Joyi revealed that his managerial contract with well known Eastern Cape boxing manager Mla Tengimfene had expired and the duo had gone their separate ways.
This has forced Joyi, who had former boxing boss Loyiso Mtya in his corner in the Nkwankwa fight, to seek another trainer and subsequently opted to reunite with long time mentor Boy Boy Mpulampula.
Joyi and Mpulampula formed a formidable team, guiding him to IBF and IBO titles, becoming the first boxer from SA to be rated top in the division.
However, after Joyi’s loss to Hekkie Budler the pair severed ties, with Joyi joining Gert Strydom in Johannesburg.
Joyi was then stunned by the unheralded Loreto with a four round demolition in Monte Carlo in a bout whose aftermath sparked a row between the boxer’s then-promoter Siphatho Handi and the technical team over accusations that the Mdantsane fighter was not adequately prepared.
Handi organised the rematch at Mdantsane’s Indoor Sports Centre, bringing back Mpulampula.
But the Filipino repeated the feat.
The loss was the final straw in Joyi’s status as a world class boxer.
After a fifth round stoppage of feather fisted Sinethemba Magibisela, Joyi returned in a Sijuta Promotions show to beat Nkwankwa.
However, with Sijuta facing serious challenges and with Tengimfene no longer part of his management team, Joyi does not know if he will return to the ring.
The southpaw boxer said he was yearning to challenge newly crowned IBO champion Simpiwe Konkco, who ironically was once his promotional stablemate at Handi’s Mamali Promotions.
Konkco recently annexed the crown with a points victory of Duncan Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo.
Tengimfene could not be reached for comment about severing ties with Joyi.
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